Question on Keys fishing?? - The Hull Truth

R&L · 03-09-2006, 07:59 PM

Finally going to the Keys Memorial Day weekend.Staying in Marathon.My ? Is for Dolphin Fishing. I have never done any real trolling and was wondering about some good rigs to use,and how for out I would need to go?? Thanks

HDRyder999 · 03-09-2006, 08:33 PM

You can troll naked or skirted ballyhoo [see baitmasters.com] for rigging tips. Artificials work well, too. Any number of chioces there. Islanders, Lil Stubby's, etc. You'll have to go out til you find some weeds, birds or debris. That could be anywhere from 5 to 25 miles depending on weather, the stream and so on. I'll be at Hawk's Cay from Memorial Day til the middle of July. Look for Third Frida and good luck.

R&L · 03-09-2006, 08:49 PM

Thanks I'll check it out We are staying at the King Sail Hope everything turns out alright

flyau98 · 03-09-2006, 09:58 PM

Make sure you have a Florida SW Fishing License (or you are exempt)
https://www1.wildlifelicense.com/fl/

And take a look at the regulations:
http://myfwc.com/fishingareas.html

And beware of the National Marine Sanctuary areas:
http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/regs/welcome.html

That should keep you out of trouble. Rumor has it the Fish and Wildlife guys may pay a little more attention to visitors on our water...so ensure you have everything in order. They all seem to be pretty decent folks, but Keys people are very sensitive about the resources.

And if you haven't done Keys boating before, there is some good info on not running aground here:
http://nps.gov/bisc/visit/groundings.htm

Be careful, Keys navigation is a bit more advanced than other areas. Overall its very safe around here, you just have to pay close attention to channels and such.

Can't help too much with the fishing tips, I perfer to pick my own fish out with a speargun

Capt Bill Welder · 03-10-2006, 12:23 PM

Typically the end of May you don't need to run past 600 feet to find fish. Last year many small fish were in close and bigger fish were in cooler water and much further than 600 feet. Water temps are above normal again this year so we may have a repeat of last year.

Forget the pre-rigged bally. Learn to rig ballys. Buy fresh brined ballys at a tackle shop. Blue/white, Red/black llander lures w/ bally, Micro Billy baits naked, etc etc. Dolphin are not that smart and in May they will hit anything.

Use goggle and you will find many ways to rig baits.

Don't worry about where to go. I tell my clients when heading offshore to look for boards, birds or bails of marijuana. Anything that will hold small fish may produce big fish.

You will catch fish.
Good Luck

29 NORTH · 03-11-2006, 07:12 PM

Dolphin will hit about any thing if they want to feed. All good suggestions above, but order or buy when you get there some thing called a Billy bait, it was hot last year it also was good for Tuna and Wahoo, should be some blackfins on the humps. Get to the humps early, it will be crowded.

R&L · 03-12-2006, 04:50 PM

Thanks ,Yeah I am not looking forward to the crowds but it will be fun

HenryJ · 03-13-2006, 11:28 AM

Memorial Weekend is a zoo, enjoy.

crparmelee · 03-19-2006, 09:32 PM

Besides the trolling rigs, be sure to rig some spinning reels with jigs for tossing to the schoolies. You should find some action that time of the year.

thw0802 · 03-19-2006, 09:43 PM

Fishing Marathon this past week and caught all the chicken dolphin you could want---If you learn to throw a cast net just load up in the shallows on pilchards and go out til you hit the edge---there was fish everywhere---we were targeting sailfish and had about 3 or 4 fish we pitched live bally's to but no takers! Great trip and great fishing even though we didn't get the sailfish.

Hope this helps.

Tommy
Sea Gypsy

R&L · 03-19-2006, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the tips and replies.I am still trying to get everything together and ready. 1 Batt. to mount and 2 rods to go